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Background: Pigeons (Columba livia) are mainly raised as a source of animal protein, racing, leisure and as an experimental animal. The present study investigated the morphology of the esophagus in the young and adult domestic pigeon, Columba livia domestica. Methods: Ten young and ten adult, normal, and healthy pigeons were collected from the local breeders. Samples from different parts of esophagus and crop were examined grossly, by stereomicroscopy, scanning and light microscopy. Results: The esophagus consisted of a long cervical part, a crop, and a short thoracic part. The crop was represented by a thin-walled outpouching with two lateral diverticula. The mucosa presented wavy fine folds in the cervical esophagus, irregular folds in the lateral diverticula giving it a corrugated appearance, and prominent longitudinal folds with several gland openings in the middle and lower parts of the crop, as well as in the thoracic esophagus. The density of gland openings was higher in adult pigeons than that in young pigeons. The mucosa of the esophagus was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The shape, height, and branching of the mucosal folds differed between young and adult pigeons. Mucous-secreting alveoli were detected in the middle part of the crop as well as in the thoracic esophagus, but not in the cervical esophagus or lateral diverticula of the crop. Conclusion: The variations between the young and adult pigeons suggest a functional adaptation of adult pigeons to their diet compared to young pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Water is one of the most important factors for the production of agricultural products and as one of the vital things for life, it is very important. However, in many regions of the world, water resources are limited and due to population growth and climate change, the use of water resources has become a big challenge. Therefore, choosing the best irrigation method for the production of agricultural products is very important and necessary. Today, there are different irrigation methods for the production of agricultural products, each of which has its characteristics and advantages. For example, irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, subsurface irrigation, sprinkle irrigation, surface irrigation, and irrigation using smart systems are very popular and widely used today. To choose the best irrigation method, one should pay attention to various factors such as soil type, crop, weather conditions, and the amount of water needed for the crops. In addition, methods that are economical and less harmful to the environment should be used. The proposed irrigation method in the improvement plan, on the one hand, should have sufficient capabilities to supply water requirements and reduce operating and maintenance costs, and on the other hand, it should be designed and selected according to the technical, economic, and social conditions of the region. The factors that are effective in choosing irrigation methods include soil conditions, topography, slope, water quality, climatic conditions, irrigation efficiency, area of agricultural units and land use system, groundwater level, plant water requirement, investment, maintenance and operation costs, existing experiences, and socio-economic considerations. At the same time, irrigation methods can include the improvement of existing irrigation methods to completely advanced systems. Materials and Methods The area studied in this research was Tabriz Grand Park in the northwest of Tabriz city. This surface area includes 864 hectares, of which 328 ha are located in area one and 536 ha in area two. The only source of water in the area is a well, and surface water sources are not used in the agricultural lands of Tabriz Park. On the other hand, the source of water supply for the agricultural lands of Hokmabad is groundwater sources (agricultural wells) and the common irrigation method in the agricultural lands of Tabriz Grand Park is the gravity irrigation method of the basin type. In this research, Charles Burt's scoring method was used to select the best irrigation method in the study area. By using this method, it is possible to easily identify the weak and strong points of irrigation systems and improve their efficiency. The criteria and features that were considered for scoring included the following items: Crop (corn, cotton in a wet place, cotton in a dry place, alfalfa, small grains, etc.), Water source (groundwater well, flexible surface water distribution, inflexible surface water distribution, etc.), Climate (temperature conditions, wind, rain, frost, etc.), Land (irregularly shaped land, obstacles in the land, steep slopes, steep rocky lands, etc.), and socio-structural conditions (access to parts, type of management, labor, user skill, etc.). Each irrigation system has a specific efficiency for each criterion, which is indicated by positive, zero, and negative signs. A positive sign means that this irrigation system is a suitable system according to this criterion and feature. The zero sign indicates that the criterion does not play a role in choosing the system, and the negative sign indicates that the irrigation system is not suitable for this specific feature. Results and Discussion What is important in choosing an irrigation method is to choose methods that can be implemented. The purpose of this research is to select the most suitable irrigation method for the agricultural lands of Tabriz Park based on effective physical factors such as crop, water source, land, climate, and socio-structural conditions and using Charles Burt's scoring method. To choose the appropriate irrigation system for the study area, the physical factorseffective in choosing the irrigation system in six areas of crop, water source, land, climate, and social-structural conditions have been examined and the results are presented below. According to Charles Burt's scoring method, in sprinkle irrigation, the classical fixed system received a score of one negative, which indicates that the system is not suitable for the study area due to these characteristics. Also, in surface irrigation and drip irrigation, the highest scores of three positive and two positives were observed, respectively, and this means that these irrigation systems will be a suitable system for the studied area according to these criteria and characteristics. The results showed that basin irrigation is the most appropriate in the agricultural lands of Hokmabad, Tabriz city. Conclusion In general, based on the scoring method of Charles Burt, among the options of sprinkle irrigation, the classic fixed system, the drip methods, the tape system, and the surface methods, the basin system was suitable for the agricultural lands of Hokmabad, Tabriz city. The results showed that the scoring method used, despite its simple instructions, is a practical method for choosing the most suitable irrigation system. The results showed that the basin system is suitable for the study area in terms of crop, climate, water source, and socio-structural conditions. In rain irrigation, the classic fixed system in terms of land, crop type, and socio-structural structure received a score of zero, which indicated that there is no relationship between the irrigation system and these factors in the region. Among the drip methods, the tape system received a score of one positive in terms of crop type, land, and water source, which showed that the system is suitable for the region due to its characteristics. However, due to the need for high management and skill and the possibility of vandalism, it has problems from a socio-structural point of view, but from the point of view of the crop, land, and water source, it is considered among the best options. Also, among the surface irrigation methods, the basin system is a suitable system from the point of view of the type of crop and land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in crop seeding density may affect the presence of phytophagous organisms, whose development is closely associated with host plants. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the abundance and species composition of thrips (Thysanoptera) collected in soybean plants of two different varieties cultivated in different plant arrangements (row spacing, seed density) at different phenological stages. The research was carried out at two locations in southwest Poland between 2015 and 2018. The herbivores that inhabited the plants were caught using an entomological net. The experiments were conducted using a complete block design with four replications. A total of 20 species of thrips were identified and their dietary specialization was determined with an emphasis on the possibility of feeding on Fabaceae plants. Thrips tabaci, Aeolothrips intermedius, and T. fuscipes were the dominant species within the collected material. The general linear model revealed no significant changes in the number of thrips caused by the row spacing, seed density or soybean variety. The significant factor was the phenological stage. The number of thrips increased significantly during the flowering period and shortly after flowering, making them an important threat to the plants. Therefore, it is crucial to develop innovative pest management strategies tailored to effective soybean cultivation to mitigate potential pest-related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent electricity shortages in Pakistan, causing prolonged grid power load shedding, have adversely impacted various sectors, notably agriculture and the livelihoods of rural farmers. Literature suggests that adopting photovoltaic solar energy can mitigate these issues. This research aims to measure the impact of photovoltaic solar energy on the technical efficiency of food productivity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, applying data from 580 respondents. Addressing self-selective bias through ESR and stochastic frontier production function model is utilized to assess technical efficiency. The findings of this study reveal that farmers using solar energy experience a significant improvement in technical efficiency, with 15.8 percent of them achieving a 7.643 percent increase, after accounting for self-selection bias. Furthermore, the positive effects are more pronounced among larger farms and those with greater farming experience. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches in implementing solar energy solutions, highlighting their potential to foster sustainability and equitable development at the grassroots level. The research culminates with policy recommendations that underscore the importance of promoting the photovoltaic solar energy use among farmers to improve food security and increase agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Strengthening future food security through the application of unsustainable levels of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers to crop fields may exacerbate environmental damage. Coordination of N‐use efficiency (NUE) and plant growth is, therefore, crucial for sustainable agriculture. Auxin plays pivotal roles in developmental and signaling responses that affect NUE. Hence, a better understanding of these processes provides great potential to improve crop NUE. This review summarizes the effects of auxin on N‐related and root developmental processes that either directly or indirectly affect NUE in the model plant Arabidopsis and major crop species to highlight the potential of fostering sustainable agricultural development in the future through modulating auxin‐related processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the requirements of Tartary buckwheat breeding, it is necessary to develop a method for the rapid detection of functional substances in seeds. To ensure a diverse sample pool, we utilized the stable recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Tartary buckwheat. The coefficients of variation of the total flavonoid, vitamin E (VE), and GABA contents of the RIL population were 15.06, 16.53, and 36.93, respectively. Subsequently, we established prediction models for the functional substance contents in Tartary buckwheat using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with chemometrics. The Kennard–Stone algorithm divided the dataset into training and test sets, employing six different methods for preprocessing spectra. The Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling algorithm extracted the characteristic spectra. The best models for total flavonoid and VE were normalized using the first derivative. The calibration correlation coefficient (Rc) and prediction correlation coefficient (Rp) of the total flavonoid and VE prediction models were greater than 0.94. The optimal GABA prediction model underwent preprocessing via normalization combined with the standard normal variate, and the Rc and Rp values were greater than 0.93. The results demonstrated that the NIRS-based prediction model could satisfy the requirements for the rapid determination of total flavonoids, VE, and GABA in Tartary buckwheat seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Base editing represents a cutting-edge genome editing technique that utilizes the CRISPR system to guide base deaminases with high precision to specific genomic sites, facilitating the targeted alteration of individual nucleotides. Unlike traditional gene editing approaches, base editing does not require DNA double-strand breaks or donor templates. It functions independently of the cellular DNA repair machinery, offering significant advantages in terms of both efficiency and accuracy. In this review, we summarize the core design principles of various DNA base editors, their distinctive editing characteristics, and tactics to refine their efficacy. We also summarize their applications in crop genetic improvement and explore their potential contributions to forest genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought poses a significant challenge to plant growth and productivity, particularly in arid regions like northern Kazakhstan. Dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors play an important role in plant response to drought and other abiotic stresses. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the DREB subfamily consists of six groups, designated DREB1 to DREB6. Among these, DREB2 is primarily associated with drought and salinity tolerance. In the chickpea genome, two DREB genes, CaDREB2c and CaDREB2h, have been identified, exhibiting high sequence similarity to Arabidopsis DREB2 genes. We investigated the nucleotide sequences of CaDREB2c and CaDREB2h genes in several chickpea cultivars commonly grown in northern Kazakhstan. Interestingly, the CaDREB2h gene sequence was identical across all varieties and corresponded to the sequence deposited in the GenBank. However, the CaDREB2c gene sequence exhibited variations among the studied varieties, categorized into three groups: the first group (I), comprising 20 cultivars, contained a CaDREB2c gene sequence identical to the GenBank (Indian cultivar CDC Frontier). The second group (II), consisting of 4 cultivars, had a single synonymous substitution (T to C) compared to the deposited CaDREB2c gene sequence. The third group, encompassing 5 cultivars, displayed one synonymous substitution (C to T) and two non-synonymous substitutions (G to T and G to A). Furthermore, we assessed the gene expression patterns of CaDREB2c and CaDREB2h in different chickpea varieties under drought conditions. Chickpea cultivars 8 (III), 37 (I), 6 (III), and 43 (I) exhibited the highest drought resistance. Our analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between drought resistance and CaDREB2h gene expression under drought stress. Our findings suggest that the chickpea's adaptive responses to water deprivation are associated with changes in CaDREB2 gene expression. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance, we propose future research directions that will delve into the molecular interactions and downstream targets of CaDREB2 genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Commercial/chemical pesticides are available to control Fusarium wilt of chickpea, but these antifungals have numerous environmental and human health hazards. Amongst various organic alternatives, use of antagonistic fungi like Trichoderma, is the most promising option. Although, Trichoderma spp. are known to control Fusarium wilt in chickpea but there are no reports that indicate the biocontrol efficacy of indigenous Trichoderma spp. against the local pathogen, in relation to environmental conditions. Methods: In the present study, biological control activity of Trichoderma species formulations viz., Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum (strain 1), and Trichoderma harzianum (strain 2), either singly or in the form of consortia, was investigated against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the cause of Fusarium wilt in chickpea, in multiyear pot trials under open field conditions. The antagonistic effect of Trichoderma spp. was first evaluated in in vitro dual culture experiments. Then the effects of Trichoderma as well as F. oxysporum, were investigated on the morphological parameters, disease incidence (DI), and disease severity (DS) of chickpea plants grown in pots. Results: In dual culture experiments, all the Trichoderma species effectively reduced the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. T. asperellum, T. harzianum (strain 1), and T. harzianum(strain 2) declined the mycelial growth of F. oxysporumby 37.6%, 40%, and 42%. In open field pot trials, the infestation of F. oxysporum in chickpea plants significantly reduced the morphological growth of chickpea. However, the application of T. asperellum, T. harzianum (strain 1), and T. harzianum (strain 2), either singly or in the form of consortia, significantly overcome the deleterious effects of the pathogen, thereby resulted in lower DI (22.2% and 11.1%) and DS (86% and 92%), and ultimately improved the shoot length, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight by 69% and 72%, 67% and 73%, 68% and 75%, during the years 1 and 2, respectively, in comparison with infested control. The present study concludes the usefulness and efficacy of Trichoderma species in controlling wilt disease of chickpea plants under variable weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the applications of fast breeding technologies in crop improvement and functional genomics studies. These technologies, including molecular selection, gene mapping, haploid induction, and genome editing, have greatly expedited the process of modifying crop traits and mapping genes. Examples of these technologies being used include the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to modify crop traits and the development of new haploid inducer lines in various plants. The article also highlights specific research papers on genetic improvement in melon, potato, wheat, rice, and tomato crops using these technologies. Additionally, the document discusses various research papers in the field of plant science, covering topics such as stress tolerance in tomatoes, doubled haploid plants in maize and wheat, and gene exploration in different crops. These papers provide valuable insights into breeding materials, marker development, and the cloning of new genes, contributing to the development of new germplasms and varieties in crops. [Extracted from the article]

Development interventions are commonly piloted by organizations with strong community ties. Reminding beneficiaries that a pilot is being evaluated may prompt them to take costly actions that reflect favorably on the implementer. We test for this form of desirability bias in an evaluation of an unsuccessful agricultural extension pilot that ultimately drove treated farmers away from the target crops. Making the evaluation salient during endline data collection led participants to neutralize this negative treatment effect by altering input purchases and cultivation patterns. Participants’ desire to support implementers can help explain why promising pilot results frequently fail to replicate at scale.

Abstract Background Pigeons (Columba livia) are mainly raised as a source of animal protein, racing, leisure and as an experimental animal. The present study investigated the morphology of the esophagus in the young and adult domestic pigeon, Columba livia domestica. Methods Ten young and ten adult, normal, and healthy pigeons were collected from the local breeders. Samples from different parts of esophagus and crop were examined grossly, by stereomicroscopy, scanning and light microscopy. Results The esophagus consisted of a long cervical part, a crop, and a short thoracic part. The crop was represented by a thin-walled outpouching with two lateral diverticula. The mucosa presented wavy fine folds in the cervical esophagus, irregular folds in the lateral diverticula giving it a corrugated appearance, and prominent longitudinal folds with several gland openings in the middle and lower parts of the crop, as well as in the thoracic esophagus. The density of gland openings was higher in adult pigeons than that in young pigeons. The mucosa of the esophagus was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The shape, height, and branching of the mucosal folds differed between young and adult pigeons. Mucous-secreting alveoli were detected in the middle part of the crop as well as in the thoracic esophagus, but not in the cervical esophagus or lateral diverticula of the crop. Conclusion The variations between the young and adult pigeons suggest a functional adaptation of adult pigeons to their diet compared to young pigeons.

【Objective】 Soil water is not only a resource to plants but also controls microbial activity and biogeochemical processes which are essential for ecosystem functions. Its spatiotemporal dynamics is controlled by a multitude of biotic and abiotic processes. In this paper, we investigate the response of soil water dynamics to rainfall events in the seasonal drought regions in Southwest China. 【Method】 The study was based on in-situ observations and rainfalls and soil water content measured from April to October 2023 across the region. Using these data, we analyzed the response of soil water content in paddy and corn fields to rainfall events with different intensities. 【Result】 ① Rainfall intensities affected penetration depths of the rainfall water. Rainfall events less than 2 mm/h affected the soil water mainly in the 0-20 cm soil layer, while rainfall events with intensity greater than 2 mm/h but less than 8 mm/h affected soil water in the 0-50 cm soil layer. ② The responses of soil water to rainfall events varied with crops. For the corn and paddy fields, the mean effective recharge efficiency were 0.72%/h and 1.07%/h, the mean effective recharge lag time were 0.88 h and 5.38 h, and the mean regression rates were 0.04%/h and 0.02%/h, respectively, during the experimental period. ③ Compared with the corn fields, the paddy fields were more sensitive to rainfall, probably due to the difference in canopy interception of the crown leaves and water uptake of the roots between the two crops. The initial soil water content also affected the response of soil water to rainfall events. 【Conclusion】 Heavy rainfall events can effectively recharge soil water. Irrigation is needed for both crops during dry periods or periods in which rainfalls were less than 2 mm/h.

Potatoes are crops that have economic value and are rich in benefits because they contain good and relatively beneficial substances. In the production of the Granola L potato variety, tissue culture propagation is used. Many factors affect the growth and development of potato plants, one of which is light. Light is needed by plants to perform photosynthesis, and the photosynthate will be distributed to all parts of the plant through the transport network. The purpose of this research is to see the effect of various light conditions on the growth of Granola L potato explants. The design used is a Completely Randomized Block Design with variance analysis and further testing using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The treatments used are neon light (1000 lux) (A), room light (250 lux) (B), and no light (C). The variables observed were the number of living explants, plant height, number of leaves, and root length. Observations showed that the number of living explants is strongly influenced by the planting media and the environment, which must be sterile. For the variables of plant height and root length, the highest data were shown by treatment C compared to treatments A and B. This is because the explants experienced etiolation, leading to stem and root elongation. For the number of leaves, the highest data were shown by treatment A, followed by treatment B, and the lowest by treatment C. Therefore, for good growth, Granola L potato explants require light.

Abstract Global crop production is severely affected by environmental factors such as drought, salinity, cold, flood etc. Among these stresses, drought is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing crop productivity. It is expected that drought conditions will further increase because of the increasing global temperature. In general, viruses are seen as a pathogen affecting the crop productivity. However, several researches are showing that viruses can induce drought tolerance in plants. This review explores the mechanisms underlying the interplay between viral infections and the drought response mechanisms in plants. We tried to address the molecular pathways and physiological changes induced by viruses that confer drought tolerance, including alterations in hormone signaling, antioxidant defenses, scavenging the reactive oxygen species, role of RNA silencing and miRNA pathway, change in the expression of several genes including heat shock proteins, cellulose synthase etc. Furthermore, we discuss various viruses implicated in providing drought tolerance and examine the range of plant species exhibiting this phenomenon. By applying current knowledge and identifying gaps in understanding, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of virus-induced drought tolerance in plants, paving the way for future research directions and practical applications in sustainable agriculture.

Lysimeters have been used to obtain accurate information for developing calibrating, and validating crop evapotranspiration and crop coefficients for many plants and crops. Lysimeters are also an unique equipment for studying the transport of solutes when saline waters are used, and therefore, for assessing alkalization and salinization hazards. Three main types of lysimeters are used: constatnt water-table lysimeters, drainage lysimeters, and weighing lysimeters. The weighing lysimeters provide scientist the basic information for research related to the evapotranspiration, and they are commonly divided into two types, continuous weighing and intermittent weighing. Lysimeters are foremost devices, typically tanks or containers, that define a specific boundary to contain soil water and permit measurement of either the soil-water balance or the volume of water percolating vertically and its quality. The limitations are expense which depends on design, variable experimental conditions such as climatic/environmental factors which are usually not controlled, the spatial variability is normally less, they are not appropriate for every plant species and even every soil type. The main goal of lysimeter is defining the crop coefficient (Kc) which used to convert Etr to equivalent crop ET (Etc) values, and determining agronomical parameters of crops which are planted on the field of lysimeter. All weather data like air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and potential evaporation should be obtained onsite, and the frequency and time of measurements should be at least daily. For crop products, the management such as fertilization, sowing tillage, seed bed preparation, and harvest of the lysimeter including its surrounding area is carried out on the basis of good agricultural practice. it may be required to complement natural precipitation by irrigation. The main purpose of this literature review is to give a brief summary about lysimeters, and survey the impacts of lysimeter studies and crops production. The information provides is obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations which were gathered from numerous literature sources such as Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar,and Science Direct.

Pineapple, a popular tropical fruit with diverse culinary and health applications, has gained significant attention due to its economic importance, health benefits, and scientific exploration. Abiotic stress has been shown to have detrimental effects on physiological aspects of pineapple, such as photosynthesis rate and internal browning. However, physical and physiological parameters are inadequate in providing accurate assessment, early detection, and enabling marker-assisted breeding for pineapple under abiotic stress. Genetic markers provide valuable insights into plant defense mechanisms and stress tolerance, enabling the identification of key genes and pathways involved. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential of genetic markers as a reliable tool for studying abiotic stress in pineapple. It focuses on genes involved in stress response and their utility as genetic markers, while also discussing physiological changes. The responsiveness of several gene families, including CPK, CBL, CYS, Dof, TALE, SBP, WRKY, ZIP, R2R3-MYB, and DREB, to abiotic stress has been known before. Therefore, harnessing the potential of these genes can yield valuable insights for comprehending and effectively managing abiotic stress in pineapple. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic response to abiotic stress in pineapple is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity and developing stress-resistant varieties.

Abstract Environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals pose significant obstacles to achieving sustainable food security, necessitating the development of universally applicable and cost-effective solutions to ameliorate soil under stress. Biochar, an eco-friendly material to increase crop yield, has been researched for almost two decades and has great potential for global use in enhancing stress resistance. However, there hasn't been comprehensive research on the impact of biochar application on soil properties, and root and crop growth. To optimize and promote biochar application in agriculture under stress, this study integrates over 100 peer-reviewed articles to explain how biochar promotes crop growth by enhancing soil resistance to stress. Biochar's distinctive properties, such as porous structure, alkaline nature, enriched surface functional groups, and nutrient content, are responsible for the following soil environment benefits: improved soil physiochemical properties, increased nutrient cycling, and boosted microbial growth. Moreover, the research emphasizes that the enhanced stress resistance of biochar optimizes nutrient absorption, alleviates soil pollutants, and thereby enhances overall crop productivity. The study discusses the roles and mechanisms of biochar on soil under stress, as well as the challenges linked to the sustainable and economical implementation of biochar in extreme soil conditions. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the widespread and cost-effective use of biochar in improving soil under stresses, thereby enhancing soil health and food security. Graphical Abstract

China’s crop structure has undergone significant changes in the last two decades since 2000, with an increase in the share of cereals, vegetables, and fruit, squeezing out other crops. As a result, land productivity, nutrient supply, and carbon emissions have changed. How to reallocate limited farmland among crops to achieve the multiple goals of agrifood systems becomes an important issue. This study explores the sources of land productivity and nutrition supply growth and carbon emissions reduction, and identifies the multiple roles of crop structural change from 2003 to 2020 based on a decomposition analysis. The results reveal that the growth within crops is still the primary driver in land productivity and nutrition supply and the reduction in carbon emissions. However, structural change also plays various roles at different periods. From 2003 to 2010, crop structural change increased the total calorie supply but lowered land productivity and contributed at least 70% of the total growth of carbon emissions. The crop structure was relatively stable, and their effects were modest from 2010 to 2015. From 2015 to 2020, the crop structural change began to play a greater role and generate synergistic effects in improving land productivity, micronutrient supply, and reducing carbon emissions, contributing to approximately a quarter of the growth of land productivity and 30% of total carbon emissions reduction. These results suggest that strategies for crop structural change should comprehensively consider its multiple impacts, aiming to achieve co-benefits while minimizing trade-offs.

Brazil, as a global player in soybean production, contributes about 35% to the world's supply and over half of its agricultural exports. Therefore, reliable information about its development becomes imperative to those who follow the market. Thus, this study estimates three phenological stages of soybean crops (sowing, beginning seed, and harvesting dates), identifying spatial–temporal patterns of soybean phenology using phenological metric extraction techniques from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor. Focused on the state of Paraná, this study validates the methodology using reference data from the Department of Rural Economics (DERAL). Subsequently, the model was applied to the major Brazilian soybean area cultivation. The results demonstrate strong agreement between the phenological estimates and reference data, showcasing the reliability of phenological metrics in capturing the stages of the soybean cycle. This study represents the first attempt, to the best of our knowledge, to correlate the vegetative peak of soybeans with the beginning seed stage at a large scale within Brazilian territory. Amidst the urgent need for the accurate estimation of agricultural crop phenological stages, particularly considering extreme weather events threatening global food security, this research emphasizes the continual importance of advancing techniques for soybean monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global crop production is severely affected by environmental factors such as drought, salinity, cold, flood etc. Among these stresses, drought is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing crop productivity. It is expected that drought conditions will further increase because of the increasing global temperature. In general, viruses are seen as a pathogen affecting the crop productivity. However, several researches are showing that viruses can induce drought tolerance in plants. This review explores the mechanisms underlying the interplay between viral infections and the drought response mechanisms in plants. We tried to address the molecular pathways and physiological changes induced by viruses that confer drought tolerance, including alterations in hormone signaling, antioxidant defenses, scavenging the reactive oxygen species, role of RNA silencing and miRNA pathway, change in the expression of several genes including heat shock proteins, cellulose synthase etc. Furthermore, we discuss various viruses implicated in providing drought tolerance and examine the range of plant species exhibiting this phenomenon. By applying current knowledge and identifying gaps in understanding, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of virus-induced drought tolerance in plants, paving the way for future research directions and practical applications in sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better promote the research and development of regional crop yield simulations, we review related research on regional crop yield simulations over the past ten years, summarize the research progress on regional crop yield simulations at home and abroad from the three aspects of crop growth models, remote sensing technology, and data assimilation technology, and propose three future development directions for regional crop yield simulations: (1) Based on the agronomic mechanism of crop yield estimation, it is necessary to fully consider crop growth characteristics and yield formation mechanisms. (2) With respect to the remote sensing mechanism of crop yield estimation, we can consider combining radar stereo lateral view measurement technology to determine crop characteristics and remote sensing information. (3) From the perspective of combining agronomy and remote sensing, the crop yield spatiotemporal simulation assimilation algorithm should be optimized, and the yield simulation unit should be extended. It is expected that these considerations can provide new ideas for regional crop yield simulations with high accuracy, a large scale, and full coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop diseases pose significant threats to agriculture, impacting crop production. Biotic factors contribute to various diseases, including fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Recent advancements in deep learning present a novel approach to the detection and recognition of these crop diseases. While considerable research has focused on identifying and recognizing crop diseases, fungal disease-affected crops have received relatively less attention and also detecting disease on different region datasets. This paper is about spotting fungal diseases in crops across different regions with diverse climates. It emphasizes the need for tailored detection methods, addressing the risk of mycotoxin production by fungi, which can harm both humans and animals. Detecting fungal diseases in apple, guava, and custard apple crops such as spot, scab, rust, rot, leaf spot, and insect ate. In the proposed work, the modified ResNeXt variant of the convolution neural network (CNN) technique was employed to predict 3 major crop classes of fungal disease. Initially, using Inception-v7 and ResNet for fungal disease in crops did not yield satisfactory results. A modified ResNeXt CNN model was proposed, showing improved fungal disease prediction. The novel model underwent a comparison with established methodologies. The suggested model draws upon a benchmark dataset consisting of 14,408 images capturing fungal diseases, categorized into three distinct classes: apple, custard apple, and guava. Experimental outcomes show that the proposed mutated ResNeXt model outperformed the state-of-the-art approaches. The model achieved 98.92% accuracy and high performance across recall, precision, and F1-score (above 99%) for the benchmark dataset, which gained encouragement and was comparable with the state-of-the-art approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the most critical threats to crop productivity and global food security. This review addresses the multiple effects of drought on the process of photosynthesis in major food crops. Affecting both light-dependent and light-independent reactions, drought leads to severe damage to photosystems and blocks the electron transport chain. Plants face a CO2 shortage provoked by stomatal closure, which triggers photorespiration; not only does it reduce carbon fixation efficiency, but it also causes lower overall photosynthetic output. Drought-induced oxidative stress generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular structures, including chloroplasts, further impairing photosynthetic productivity. Plants have evolved a variety of adaptive strategies to alleviate these effects. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms help dissipate excess light energy as heat, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus under drought conditions. Alternative electron pathways, such as cyclical electron transmission and chloroplast respiration, maintain energy balance and prevent over-reduction of the electron transport chain. Hormones, especially abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, and cytokinin, modulate stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and osmotic adjustment, further increasing the tolerance to drought. Structural adjustments, such as leaf reordering and altered root architecture, also strengthen tolerance. Understanding these complex interactions and adaptive strategies is essential for developing drought-resistant crop varieties and ensuring agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed inoculation with symbiotic bacteria is a commonly employed practice in soybean cultivation. As a result, nodulation proceeds properly and plants self-supply atmospheric nitrogen, requiring either minimal or no additional nitrogen fertilization. The aim of the study was to investigate the response of soybeans to the application of the recommended or double dose of commercial inoculants (HiStick® Soy or TURBOSOY®) and/or mineral nitrogen fertilization compared to the untreated control. It was demonstrated that a double dose of the tested preparations had the most favorable effect on nodulation. However, the impact of weather conditions modified their effectiveness during the study years, which was especially visible in 2022. Sowing seeds without inoculation (control) resulted in the formation of sparse root nodules and consequently the lowest leaf area index (LAI) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) measurements. In addition, the values of SPAD and LAI indices varied across the years of the study, indicating that weather conditions modified nitrogen uptake by plants. Overall, seed inoculation and/or nitrogen fertilization positively influenced the chemical composition of seeds compared to the control. The only decrease observed was in the oil content, while the double dose of HiStick® Soy preparation reduced the polyphenol content. The double dose of the tested inoculants had the most favorable impact on yield components and seed yield. However, applying inoculation at the recommended dose or in combination with nitrogen fertilization yielded similar or slightly worse results, depending on the year. Therefore, soybean seed inoculation should be recommended, although the effectiveness of the procedure will depend on various factors, including the type of inoculant, dosage, nitrogen fertilization, and weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Journal of Irrigation & Drainage Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contributing to the growing interest in understanding the impact of farmer cooperatives on rural household welfare, we add new empirical evidence to the current literature and debate. In particular, this study investigates the impact of farmer cooperatives on sales per hectare of land and crop diversification, which have been largely overlooked. We apply the Propensity Score Matching method to the Cambodia Inter-Censal Agricultural Survey 2019, with its large sample size of 16,000 small-scale producers. Additionally, we perform a robustness check to ensure our findings are unbiased. Results indicate that Cambodian farmers perceive the cooperatives as a risk-sharing mechanism or knowledge-sharing platform that provides technical know-how to cope with natural calamities. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) outputs show a significantly positive impact of participating in the cooperatives on sales and the crop diversification index. This study thus advocates increasing technical support and implementing policies by the government to help cooperatives thrive and expand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of the use of a diet containing 30% triticale grain. In an experiment lasting 28 days, 180 one-day Ross-308 chickens (sex ratio 1:1) with an average initial body weight in treatment of 44.6 g were randomly assigned to 30 metabolic cages/replications, 6 birds in each. To compare the results between treatments, a one-way ANOVA was used with uneven replication numbers. The control group (I) received a standard diet containing maize and soybean meal. In the other treatments, 30% of different cereals were used: II—wheat, III—barley, and IV—triticale. Significant differences in body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed on the 4th day of the life of broiler chickens (p < 0.05). Differences were determined between the control group (90.7 g BW and 1.32 kg of feed/kg BWG in the case of FCR) and birds receiving barley (93.0 g BW and 1.29 kg of feed/kg BWG in the case of FCR), compared to chickens fed diets with a 30% share of wheat grain (86.2 g BW and 1.53 kg feed/kg BWG in the case of FCR) and triticale (86.6 g BW and 1.53 kg feed/kg BWG in the case of FCR). Later, the differences in performance of birds between treatments did not occur (p > 0.05). In the nutrition of broiler chickens, control or 30% of the triticale diet caused a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of the number of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the crop of broiler chickens (0 log cfu/g), compared to birds obtaining feed with 30% of wheat (1.78 log cfu/g). The diet containing triticale also reduced the number of E. coli (p < 0.05) within the ileum (0.78 log cfu/g) compared to chickens obtaining barley grain in the diet (2.12 log cfu/g). As a result of the use of triticale grain (p < 0.05), the total length of the bird intestines (199.64 cm) was compared to 30% of barley grain (209.76 cm). The increase in the length of the large intestine of broiler chickens in treatments was positively correlated (r = 0.613, p < 0.05) with the number of Lactobacillus sp. in the ileum. Triticale increased the pH in the crop of broilers chickens. The research results indicate that triticale, after longer storage, can be used in amounts of 30% of the diet without significant effect on the performance of broiler chickens, with a reduction in E. coli in crop in comparison with wheat and in ileum with barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric dryness (i.e., high vapor pressure deficit, VPD), together with soil moisture stress, limits plant photosynthesis and threatens ecosystem functioning. Regions where rainfall and soil moisture are relatively sufficient, such as the rainfed part of the U.S. Corn Belt, are especially prone to high VPD stress. With globally projected rising VPD under climate change, it is crucial to understand, simulate, and manage its negative impacts on agricultural ecosystems. However, most existing models simulating crop response to VPD are highly empirical and insufficient in capturing plant response to high VPD, and improved modeling approaches are urgently required. In this study, by leveraging recent advances in plant hydraulic theory, we demonstrate that the VPD constraints in the widely used coupled photosynthesis‐stomatal conductance models alone are inadequate to fully capture VPD stress effects. Incorporating plant xylem hydraulic transport significantly improves the simulation of transpiration under high VPD, even when soil moisture is sufficient. Our results indicate that the limited water transport capability from the plant root to the leaf stoma could be a major mechanism of plant response to high VPD stress. We then introduce a Demand‐side Hydraulic Limitation Factor (DHLF) that simplifies the xylem and the leaf segments of the plant hydraulic model to only one parameter yet captures the effect of plant hydraulic transport on transpiration response to high VPD with similar accuracy. We expect the improved understanding and modeling of crop response to high VPD to help contribute to better management and adaptation of agricultural systems in a changing climate. Key Points: Coupled photosynthesis‐stomatal conductance models alone underestimate vapor pressure deficit (VPD) stress effects on crop stomatal conductance and transpirationLimited plant hydraulic transport capability could play a role in plant response to high VPDA simplified representation of plant hydraulic model for capturing VPD stress on plants is proposed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals pose significant obstacles to achieving sustainable food security, necessitating the development of universally applicable and cost-effective solutions to ameliorate soil under stress. Biochar, an eco-friendly material to increase crop yield, has been researched for almost two decades and has great potential for global use in enhancing stress resistance. However, there hasn't been comprehensive research on the impact of biochar application on soil properties, and root and crop growth. To optimize and promote biochar application in agriculture under stress, this study integrates over 100 peer-reviewed articles to explain how biochar promotes crop growth by enhancing soil resistance to stress. Biochar's distinctive properties, such as porous structure, alkaline nature, enriched surface functional groups, and nutrient content, are responsible for the following soil environment benefits: improved soil physiochemical properties, increased nutrient cycling, and boosted microbial growth. Moreover, the research emphasizes that the enhanced stress resistance of biochar optimizes nutrient absorption, alleviates soil pollutants, and thereby enhances overall crop productivity. The study discusses the roles and mechanisms of biochar on soil under stress, as well as the challenges linked to the sustainable and economical implementation of biochar in extreme soil conditions. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the widespread and cost-effective use of biochar in improving soil under stresses, thereby enhancing soil health and food security. Highlights: Biochar's physicochemical properties help with stress resilience. Biochar's effect on multiple stresses mitigation promotes soil nutrients circulating. Biochar provides virtuous cycles for crop stress resistance and root growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the adverse effects of climate change-induced frequent extreme disasters on agricultural production and supply stability, this study develops a comprehensive agricultural disaster prevention system based on current adaptation strategies for mitigating agricultural meteorological disasters. The primary goal is to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery through three core platforms: a fine-scale weather forecast service system, a crop disaster early warning system, and an agricultural information service platform for disasters. The results show that every major agricultural production township in Taiwan now has dedicated agricultural weather stations and access to refined weather forecasts. Additionally, a disaster prevention calendar for 76 important crops is established, integrating cultivation management practices and critical disaster thresholds for different growth periods. Utilizing this calendar, the crop disaster early warning system can provide timely disaster-related information and pre-disaster prevention assistance to farmers through various information dissemination tools. As a disaster approaches, the agricultural information service platform for disasters provides updates on current crop growth conditions. This service not only pinpoints areas at higher risk of disasters and vulnerable crop types but also offers mitigation suggestions to prevent potential damage. Administrative efficiency is then improved with a response mechanism incorporating drones and image analysis for early disaster detection and rapid response. In summary, the collaborative efforts outlined in this study demonstrate a proactive approach to agricultural disaster prevention. By leveraging technological advancements and interdisciplinary cooperation, the aim is to safeguard agricultural livelihoods and ensure food security in the face of climate-induced challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global population and resource scarcity simultaneously increase, the pressure on plant breeders and growers to maximise the effectiveness of their operations is immense. In this article, we explore the usefulness of image-based data collection and analysis of field experiments consisting of multiple field sites, plant varieties, and treatments. The goal of this approach is to determine whether the noninvasive acquisition and analysis of image data can be used to find relationships between the canopy traits of field experiments and environmental factors. Our results are based on data from three field trials in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in South Australia. Image data were supplemented by environmental data such as rainfall, temperature, and soil composition in order to explain differences in growth and the development of plants across field trials. We have shown that the combination of high-throughput image-based data and independently recorded environmental data can reveal valuable connections between the variables influencing wheat crop growth; meanwhile, further studies involving more field trials under different conditions are required to test hypotheses and draw statistically significant conclusions. This work highlights some of the more responsive traits and their dependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is important for ecology. The early detection and treatment of agricultural crop diseases are meaningful and challenging tasks in agriculture. Currently, the identification of plant diseases relies on manual detection, which has the disadvantages of long operation time and low efficiency, ultimately impacting the crop yield and quality. To overcome these disadvantages, we propose a new object detection method named "Plant Leaf Detection transformer with Improved deNoising anchOr boxes (PL-DINO)". This method incorporates a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) into the ResNet50 backbone network. With the assistance of the CBAM block, the representative features can be effectively extracted from leaf images. Next, an EQualization Loss (EQL) is employed to address the problem of class imbalance in the relevant datasets. The proposed PL-DINO is evaluated using the publicly available PlantDoc dataset. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of PL-DINO over the related advanced approaches. Specifically, PL-DINO achieves a mean average precision of 70.3%, surpassing conventional object detection algorithms such as Faster R-CNN and YOLOv7 for leaf disease detection in natural environments. In brief, PL-DINO offers a practical technology for smart agriculture and ecological monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WeedCube dataset consists of hyperspectral images of three crops (canola, soybean, and sugarbeet) and four invasive weeds species (kochia, common waterhemp, redroot pigweed, and common ragweed). Plants were grown in two separate greenhouses and plant canopies were captured from a top-down camera angle. A push-broom hyperspectral sensor in the visible near infrared region of 400–1000 nm was used for data collection. The dataset includes 160 calibrated images. The number of images can be further increased by selection of smaller region of interests (ROIs). Dataset is supplemented by Jupyter Notebook scripts that help in data augmentation, spectral pre-processing, ROI selection for points and images, and data visualization. The primary purpose of this dataset is to support weed classification or identification studies by enhancing existing training datasets and validating the generalization capabilities of existing models. Owing to the three-dimensional (3D) nature of hyperspectral images, this dataset can also be utilized by researchers and educators across various domains for the development and testing of deep learning algorithms, the creation of automated data processing pipelines effective for 3D data, the development of tools for 3D data visualization, the creation of innovative solutions for data compression, and addressing system memory issues associated with high-dimensional data.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of (poly)phenols from pumpkin pulp was optimized using response surface methodology. Time, solvent-to-sample ratio and percentage of water in ethanol were considered and a full factorial design was applied. The optimized conditions (10 min; 30 mL/g; 50% water in ethanol) were used to isolate (poly)phenols from five pumpkin varieties (Hokkaido, Lunga di Napoli, Mantovana, Moscata di Provenza, Violina rugosa), collected for two successive years. Phenolic acids were the most abundant phenolic class (gallic acid up to 413.50 μg/g), even if differences were observed among varieties and harvesting years. Generally, Violina rugosa harvested in 2021 showed the highest total phenol content (7.59 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and antioxidant properties (16.93 mg Trolox equivalents/g). All pumpkin variety exhibited antimicrobial activity within a concentration range of 1.95 to 250 μg/mL. In conclusion, the pumpkin pulp can be considered a promising natural source of (poly)phenols for the development of health-promoting products.

The present study summarizes two growing seasons (2020–2021) of microclimate characterization and vegetable crop growth in an agrivoltaics system in northern Colorado, USA. The replicated experiment evaluated three module transparency types (opaque silicon [0 % transparent], bifacial silicon [∼5 % transparent], and semi-transparent cadmium telluride [40 % transparent]) plus a full sun control, and four vegetable crop species (summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce). Air temperature under the modules in July was approximately 0.5 °C cooler than in the full sun. Soil temperature (2.5 cm depth) maximum differences were more pronounced and were 5.8 °C, 9 °C, and 14.4 °C cooler under bifacial, semi-transparent, and opaque silicon, respectively. For summer squash growing directly under the solar modules, yield was significantly reduced under each of the module transparency types. However, there was no statistically significant yield reduction for peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce indicating their suitability in an agrivoltaics system. The numerical yield of most crops increased as the transparency of the solar modules increased, which could be the focus on future work.

Persistent electricity shortages in Pakistan, causing prolonged grid power load shedding, have adversely impacted various sectors, notably agriculture and the livelihoods of rural farmers. Literature suggests that adopting photovoltaic solar energy can mitigate these issues. This research aims to measure the impact of photovoltaic solar energy on the technical efficiency of food productivity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, applying data from 580 respondents. Addressing self-selective bias through ESR and stochastic frontier production function model is utilized to assess technical efficiency. The findings of this study reveal that farmers using solar energy experience a significant improvement in technical efficiency, with 15.8 percent of them achieving a 7.643 percent increase, after accounting for self-selection bias. Furthermore, the positive effects are more pronounced among larger farms and those with greater farming experience. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches in implementing solar energy solutions, highlighting their potential to foster sustainability and equitable development at the grassroots level. The research culminates with policy recommendations that underscore the importance of promoting the photovoltaic solar energy use among farmers to improve food security and increase agricultural productivity.

Pesticides are used to ensure the mass production and quality of foods, depending on the environment where they are grown. Trace amounts of pesticides are ingested through diet and high ratios of its components have been detected in humans. Neonicotinoid insecticides are nicotine analogs that disrupt neurons, induce neural excitation, and cause behavioral abnormalities and chronic toxicity. The herbicide glyphosate causes behavioral disorders due to abnormalities in the balance of intestinal microflora. These abnormalities can be found in the F2-generation and beyond. Glyphosate decreases the number and size of experimental animal fetuses, possibly through abnormal deoxyribonucleic acid methylation in parental germ cells, resulting in transgenerational toxicity. It also causes the death of dopamine neurons, which are believed to be involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The intestinal microflora is considerably altered by ingesting pesticides used in crops. Lactic acid bacteria and some other intestinal bacteria have gut-regulating and immunomodulatory effects that have recently been implicated in neurological disorders, such as depression and dementia. Therefore, a healthy diet should be traced back to crops. An agriculture-medicine partnership linking “agriculture” and “preventive medicine” has recently been considered important based on the hypothesis that agriculture and health sectors should collaborate to create a healthy environment for producing healthy food. Although food considerations tend to focus on the functionality of vegetable and fruit components, that of environmental bacteria should also be considered.

Chromosome rearrangement is a mechanism that can lead to the loss, duplication, translocation and inversion of DNA segments, thereby altering the genomic structure and providing possibilities for creating new variable traits. Accurate identification of plant chromosome rearrangement events contributes to a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the plant genomes as well as their roles in plant evolution and crop breeding. This review delves into the fundamental concepts of plant chromosome rearrangement, presenting both naturally occurring and artificially induced techniques. It elucidates the cytological, molecular genetic and high-throughput sequencing identification methods for plant chromosome rearrangement. We systematically summarize the application of plant chromosome rearrangement techniques in crop genetic breeding, emphasizing the superiority and practical implementation of chromosome rearrangement in increasing genetic diversity, improving essential traits and enhancing environmental adaptability of crops. However, the occurrence probability of chromosome rearrangement is relatively low currently, posing technical challenges that necessitate more precise tools and strategies for the accurate positioning and rearrangement of chromosomal fragments. By comprehensively understanding chromosome rearrangement and its related technologies, researchers and breeders can better leverage the plant genome, providing innovative solutions for global food security and sustainable environmental development. These researches not only open new approach for a deeper understanding of the plant genome but also lay a solid foundation for future innovations in crop breeding. Through tapping into the diversity and plasticity of the plant genome, chromosome rearrangement technology holds the potential to offer more possibilities for cultivating high-yielding, superior-quality and resistant crop varieties, addressing the increasingly critical issues of global food security and climate adaptability.

When humans are going to live on the Moon or Mars, food production and reusing waste products as manure will be essential for their survival. This calls for a circular sustainable agricultural ecosystem for food production. Earlier experiments have shown that crop growth is possible on simulant regoliths though there are several challenges. One of them is the shortage of nitrate or ammonium in the regoliths. Moreover, phosphate is not easily available. This could be solved by the application of human feces as manure. The goal of this experiment was to test if human urine-based struvite (MgNH4PO4) could fertilize Mars and Moon regolith simulants and lead to a higher yield of green beans. Three “soils” were examined: Mars regolith simulant (MMS), Moon regolith simulant (JSC 1A), and Earth potting soil with and without struvite. Forty grams of struvite were added, besides 10% (volume) organic matter. The experiment was conducted in tenfold. Length of plants was recorded, and beans were harvested when ripe and at the end of the experiment, three and a half months after the start. The struvite treatment yielded a significantly higher bean harvest. Plants on potting soil and Moon soil simulant with struvite addition reached the same height and were higher than the control plants. The plants on Mars soil simulant were smaller but still taller than the control. It can be concluded that the addition of struvite had a significant positive effect on the production of green beans on potting soil and Mars and Moon soil simulant.

Weed competition represents a major constraint to sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) productivity, with yield losses of up to 90% reported due to uncontrolled weed infestations. However, comprehensive information on the weed flora in sesame fields is lacking, particularly in Somalia where the crop plays a vital economic and food security role. In this study, we conducted surveys across 36 sesame production areas in Middle Shabelle province, a key sesame-growing region of Somalia. Accordingly, twenty-seven weed species from 14 plant families were identified infesting the surveyed sesame fields. The results show that the most prevalent and problematic weeds in terms of density were Cynodon dactylon (2.15 plants/m2), Portulaca oleracea (1.71 plants/m2), Cyperus rotundus (1.58 plants/m2), Heliotropium steudneri (0.99 plants/m2), and Xanthium strumarium (0.87 plants/m2). The most prevalent species were Cynodon dactylon (40.70%), Xanthium strumarium (40.50%), Portulaca oleracea (37.42%), Heliotropium steudneri (35.90%), and Cyperus rotundus (26.85%). Furthermore, face-to-face interviews with 50 farmers demonstrated that most producers favour hand hoeing as the primary method for weed control. By characterising the major weed species and their population dynamics, this study provides critical foundational data to inform the development of integrated weed management strategies for enhancing sesame productivity and food security in the region.

Control of crop pests by shifting host plant availability and natural enemy activity at landscape scales has great potential to enhance the sustainability of agriculture. However, mainstreaming natural pest control requires improved understanding of how its benefits can be realized across a variety of agroecological contexts. Empirical studies suggest significant but highly variable responses of natural pest control to land-use change. Current ecological models are either too specific to provide insight across agroecosystems or too generic to guide management with actionable predictions. We suggest obtaining the full benefit of available empirical, theoretical, and methodological knowledge by combining trait-mediated understanding from correlative studies with the explicit representation of causal relationships achieved by mechanistic modeling. To link these frameworks, we adapt the concept of archetypes, or context-specific generalizations, from sustainability science. Similar responses of natural pest control to land-use gradients across cases that share key attributes, such as functional traits of focal organisms, indicate general processes that drive system behavior in a context-sensitive manner. Based on such observations of natural pest control, a systematic definition of archetypes can provide the basis for mechanistic models of intermediate generality that cover all major agroecosystems worldwide. Example applications demonstrate the potential for upscaling understanding and improving predictions of natural pest control, based on knowledge transfer and scientific synthesis. A broader application of this mechanistic archetype approach promises to enhance ecology's contribution to natural resource management across diverse regions and social-ecological contexts.

Summary: Biophysicochemical rhizosheath properties play a vital role in plant drought adaptation. However, their integration into the framework of plant drought response is hampered by incomplete mechanistic understanding of their drought responsiveness and unknown linkage to intraspecific plant–soil drought reactions.Thirty‐eight Zea mays varieties were grown under well‐watered and drought conditions to assess the drought responsiveness of rhizosheath properties, such as soil aggregation, rhizosheath mass, net‐rhizodeposition, and soil organic carbon distribution. Additionally, explanatory traits, including functional plant trait adaptations and changes in soil enzyme activities, were measured.Drought restricted soil structure formation in the rhizosheath and shifted plant–carbon from litter‐derived organic matter in macroaggregates to microbially processed compounds in microaggregates. Variety‐specific functional trait modifications determined variations in rhizosheath drought responsiveness. Drought responses of the plant–soil system ranged among varieties from maintaining plant–microbial interactions in the rhizosheath through accumulation of rhizodeposits, to preserving rhizosheath soil structure while increasing soil exploration through enhanced root elongation.Drought‐induced alterations at the root–soil interface may hold crucial implications for ecosystem resilience in a changing climate. Our findings highlight that rhizosheath soil properties are an intrinsic component of plant drought response, emphasizing the need for a holistic concept of plant–soil systems in future research on plant drought adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial titled "Seed dormancy, germination, and pre-harvest sprouting, volume II" discusses the issue of pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in crops, specifically in cereal crops. PHS occurs when seeds germinate prematurely in the mother plants before harvest, leading to poor grain quality and economic losses. The editorial emphasizes the importance of understanding the genetic and molecular basis of seed dormancy and PHS and highlights recent advancements in research on this topic. It also mentions the role of plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin acid (GA) in seed dormancy and germination. The document further discusses recent research on seed dormancy, germination, and PHS in crops like quinoa and mungbean, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors that influence these processes. The authors stress the need for further research in areas such as genome editing, multi-omics approaches, and the interaction of environmental factors with PHS. [Extracted from the article]

Indonesia has developed rice varieties which are superior in cultivation yield. However, lack of information about the nutritional value and optimal temperature to preserve the nutrient content. This study was purposed to determine the nutritional values and micronutrient changes in different heat temperatures. Three varieties of rice namely Jeliteng black rice (JT), Inpari Arumba red rice (AR), and Inpari IR Nutri Zinc white rice (NZ) were analysed during September-October of 2021. Rice was provided from Indonesian Rice Research Centre, East Java, Indonesia. Macronutrient, lipid analysis, dietary fibre, sugar, salt, and micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) were analysed by proximate analysis, gas chromatography, enzymaticgravimetry, luff-schoorl method, titrimetric, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. All analyses were performed in duplicate. Rice of NZ had the highest protein and dietary fibre content with lowest moisture level. Kalium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc were mainly found in AR rice. However, vitamins were generally found in JT rice. Heating mostly diminished the vitamin B3, B7 and E in all rice, vitamin C in NZ rice as well as iron in colored rice. This study provided fundamental nutritional data for Indonesian rice superior variety. Future explorations are necessary for optimizing the process of milling, cooking, and fortification to maintain micronutrient values in these potential varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Turfloop constitutes an area in Mankweng, situated in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, where several villages are home to smallholder farmers who specialize in vegetable farming. Among the most crucial crops cultivated in this region is tomato, a fruit that has gained significant commercial importance due to its high demand and versatility in various culinary applications. To determine the relationship of plant-parasitic nematodes and soil physicochemical properties, soil samples were collected from tomato fields. Overall, our results showed that seven nematode genera were in the tomato fields. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of Meloidogyne and potassium (r = 0.903) and a negative correlation with Na (r = −0.684). In contrast, there was no association between the number of Meloidogyne spp. and the pH and texture of the fields. The number of Criconema in the field was negatively correlated with pH (r = −0.732). Soil texture percentages, including clay (r = 0.744), sand (r = −0.744), and silt (r = 0.706), were only correlated with the number of Criconema. The number of dagger nematodes, Xiphinema, was only correlated negatively with NH4+ (r = −0.589) and positively with boron (B) (r = 0.779). None of the soil variables were correlated with the number of Pratylenchus. The principal component analysis (PCA) placed soil samples of tomatoes together, in which the number of Meloidogyne was not correlated to any soil sample site. In conclusion, plant-parasitic nematodes that were associated with tomatoes are of high economic importance as they can reduce the yield. Criconema was found to be sensitive to the soil's physicochemical properties. In addition, Helicotylenchus was found in all soil samples. Our results suggest that the plant-parasitic nematodes in tomatoes have high diversity with the potential to reduce crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is one of the key factors restricting crop yield. The beneficial effects of exogenous proline on crop growth under drought stress have been demonstrated in maize, rice, and other crops. However, little is known about its effects on wheat under drought stress. Especially, the water-holding capacity of leaves were overlooked in most studies. Therefore, a barrel experiment was conducted with wheat at two drought levels (severe drought: 45% field capacity, mild drought: 60% field capacity), and three proline-spraying levels (0 mM, 25 mM, and 50 mM). Meanwhile, a control with no stress and no proline application was set. The anatomical features, water-holding capacity, antioxidant capacity, and proline content of flag leaves as well as grain yields were measured. The results showed that drought stress increased the activity of catalase and peroxidase and the content of proline in flag leaves, lessened the content of chlorophyll, deformed leaf veins, and decreased the grain yield. Exogenous proline could regulate the osmotic-regulation substance content, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, water-holding capacity, and tissue structure of wheat flag leaves under drought stress, ultimately alleviating the impact of drought stress on wheat yield. The application of proline (25 mM and 50 mM) increased the yield by 2.88% and 10.81% under mild drought and 33.90% and 52.88% under severe drought compared to wheat without proline spray, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]